We firmly believe at Forest that the "Motheboard makes the processor." This could not be more true! If you use ANY processor on a less-than-stellar motherboard, it will NOT perform to its full potential. You may also experience system instability, as ALL components in a system are tied to the motherboard in some fashion. It is for that reason that, since day one, we have centered exclusively on Asus as our #1 choice for motherboards. Their track record and reputation are second to none! Finally, while it is generally a good idea to avoid excessively integrated motherboards (that is, motherboards with many components built-on such as video or network), integration is acceptable if two conditions are met - the motherboard is of high quality, and the integrated components are based on quality name-brand components.